How durable is the vinyl Moomba uses? My boat is kept in an enclosed unit so weather is not an issue. Compared to Malibu, Supra, and other higher end boats, Moomba is not the thickness and I knew that when looking. My main concern are the sun deck and seams/corners. I have purchased cleaners and conditioners.

kaneboats

04-07-2010, 12:22 PM

Use the 303 protectant. It helps more than anything else you can do.

you da man

04-07-2010, 12:40 PM

Use the 303 protectant. It helps more than anything else you can do.

Already using it

Jeff W

04-07-2010, 12:43 PM

I've got an 02' and we use ours regularly for wakeboarding, tubing and skiing. I don't "baby" my boat - I use it.

We have no rips, tears, otherwise. As long as you aren't wreckless - it will hold up.

Razzman

04-07-2010, 12:47 PM

Thickness is not so much a mean indicator of vinyl quality as a percieved one. SC uses quality foam backed vinyl and it holds up well. Almost everytime we go out i have 3-5 of my grandsons with us ages 2-14 and believe they are not easy on things. The trick is to keep it clean and use a protectant.

kaneboats

04-07-2010, 01:43 PM

Be especially careful to coat the dark colored panels. The sun is a lot harsher on these and on the ones I've see that cracked it was always the darkest color first.

Jeff W

04-07-2010, 01:44 PM

Someone explain to me how keeping your vinyl clean will increase the life of the sundeck and the seems.

I can understand how this will keep the deck from fading - but protectant isn't going to help your seems or keep your vinyl from having issues, will it?

kaneboats

04-07-2010, 01:49 PM

The 303 protectant works just like putting sunscreen on your nose.

moombadaze

04-07-2010, 02:12 PM

the protectant is to keep the vinyl soft so it doesnt dry out and tear-at least thats the way i understand it. I just like the smell the babes has

kaneboats

04-07-2010, 02:36 PM

The 303 has an SFP factor for UV protection.

Take a look at the photo below that shows what can happen if you don't protect it. You'll see the darker colors crack and split but the lighter one is OK (this was in FL, of course, but a garage kept boat after 8 years):

Razzman

04-07-2010, 02:47 PM

Most importantly the vinyl and threads are protected from the UV rays which will harden and crack the vinyl. Using the wrong chemicals on your vinyl also causes a breakdown of the vinyls composition.

kaneboats

04-07-2010, 10:30 PM

I think the guy that owned the boat before me used "hand cleaner" -- you know the solvent to dissolve the grease off your hands when you've been doing engine work -- to clean the grease off the interior. I think it also stripped all the protectants off the vinyl in the process.

gus 08 mobius lsv

04-07-2010, 11:48 PM

what is the best place to get the 303 i have a smaller bottle of it but its not gonna last very long this summer

you da man

04-07-2010, 11:58 PM

what is the best place to get the 303 i have a smaller bottle of it but its not gonna last very long this summer

Seems like all the online sites have it for $64-65 gallon. Babes Seat Saver is only $35 gallon, UV protection, and has the Babes reputation of being a good product....:confused: 303 can be used on more surfaces though if you read application uses.

csm

04-08-2010, 04:11 PM

I'm not sure how the vinyl compare to other boats, but we inevitably get 2 or 3 tears each season. I've made it a habit of just getting them fixed in the offseason.

If anyone's ever in the Houston area, the Moomba dealer down here contracts a guy who comes in and fixes vinyl. He fixed 3 fairly significant, visible tears this year for $100. I couldn't even tell you where the tears were anymore. It looks brand new when he is done. Definitely a fair price IMO.